Schools Work.

Following our work with teenagers at the Centre we have developed further to delivery of sex & relationship lessons in secondary school.

The three main aims/objectives of our school’s work programme are to:

• Provide informative and interesting lessons using a variety of materials to aid enjoyment and encourage pupils to form opinions based upon factual information.
• Encourage and equip those pupils who are not yet sexually active to withstand peer pressure until they feel emotionally ready to engage sexually.
• Encourage those already sexually active to weigh up the responsibilities and possible consequences of intercourse highlighting both the physical and emotional risks in order to make healthy choices.

Following the success of our pilot school’s work programme delivered to two local secondary schools to year ten pupils, during the autumn and spring terms 2005/06, we have now undertaken regular lessons in three local secondary schools.  

The programme, seven lessons in all, consists of two lessons in each of the following areas:

• Sex and Relationships.
• Sexually Transmitted Infections (including HIV/AIDS).
• Unplanned Pregnancy.
• Self-Esteem (one lesson).  

Statistical data has shown the real value to our lessons and has been very positive from both staff and pupils  Statistics compiled following lessons this year (06-07) indicate the following:

• 91% of pupils on average found the lessons ‘very interesting’/’good’/O.K.
• 91% on average felt that they had learnt ‘a lot’/‘quite a lot’/A few things’ during the lessons.
• 56% felt that the lessons would make a difference to the choices they make in the future whereas 39% didn’t know.
• 69% felt that the lessons had improved their confidence and 69% felt more able to resist peer pressure.
• 65% said they would think more now about using contraception following the lessons than they did.

Teacher comments were also very positive:

“Facilitator had an excellent manner with the pupils. Her calm but determined approach maintained the pace and kept the majority of pupils on task”

“A good range of activities and strategies used”

“Really pleased to see some of the more challenging pupils taking an active role”

“Overall we think the pupils got a lot out of this”

We were obviously delighted with the outcomes during our lessons and continue to work closely with schools in order to assist them in achieving the Healthy Schools Award and to benefit the students.